'Meth truck' to save meth capital of Australia

WESTERN Australian Police have today launched a new weapon in the fight against the distribution and transport of Methamphetamine with the release of a mobile detection unit, dubbed the 'Meth Truck' .

The High tech X-ray meth truck is part of the McGowan Government's comprehensive Methamphetamine Action Plan - a State-wide co-ordinated strategy to address the scourge of meth in the Western State.

"WA has a reputation as the meth capital of Australia and we need to use all of the tools at our disposal to stem the flow of this evil drug into our State," Police Minister Michelle Roberts said Monday.

"Criminal syndicates are coming up with more sophisticated ways of trying to conceal drugs and our police are always looking for ways to be one step ahead.

The meth truck is equipped with a Smiths Hi-Scan X-ray unit similar to those used at security checkpoints in airports.

The Organised Crime Squad's Meth Transport Teams will deploy the truck to drug transit routes across the State, to target criminal syndicates trying to traffic meth and other illicit drugs into Western Australia.

"WA Police has already had success when it comes to meth interceptions, and this new bit of kit, along with our commitment for 100 extra officers for a meth border force, will significantly boost those efforts," the Minister said.

The technology will also be used at mail packaging centres and freight handling facilities across the State.

Until today WA Organised Crime Squad detectives have been using an X-ray unit on loan, and have charged 29 people as a result of X-ray examinations in the past few months.

"The McGowan Government is committed to reducing the devastating impact of meth in our community by disrupting the supply, punishing those who traffic in this misery and breaking the cycle of drug-related crime."